"Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, firm in the faith" Col. 2:7 — Follow Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades and the 120 pilgrims of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend on their travels through Europe to World Youth Day in Madrid, Spain.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

What's a little rain in the land of Lourdes?

Bonjour,

Well, today began in fine fashion with sunny skies and cool temps. Your favorite pilgrims rose early this morning to soak in as much of Lourdes as they can get on this final day at the foot of Our Lady. And soak they did ... but more on that later!

Following breakfast we all marched on weary feet over to "the meadow" — a grassy area on the opposite side of the river and across from the grotto —where we gathered to participate in morning Mass in the grotto. Several other WYD groups joined us and the procession, which was led by what I believe is a replica of the WYD traveling cross and our beloved bishops and priests, was a reverent stream of expectant youth.

The most solemn Mass was celebrated by our own Bishop Rhoades, and concelebrated by many priests and Bishop McFadden as well. It was so beautiiful to witness our Eucharistic celebration right at the grotto altar with the statue of Our Lady of Lourdes standing on her cliffed rock, looking over us with what I believe was a pleased smile.

In his homily Bishop Rhoades, who offered his words in both English and Spanish, reminded us that we are on a pilgrimage not only to Madrid but also to heaven. He told the pilgrims that God calls each of us to be firm and strong in the faith. Then, he said, that way we can experience joy, happiness and peace in this life and in the next. Reflecting on the Gospel, he said, "May we build our lives on solid rock — in our faith in Jesus Christ."
Father Fernando Jimenez concelebrated the Mass with his many brother priests from our diocese and abroad. When asked how it felt to offer Mass in this special grotto, he exclaimed, "It was beautiful!" Then he shared that he had a seat under a place in the rock that was wet with the healing waters. So we chuckled that he was anointed drip by drip by God Himself.

Following Mass the youth were invited to walk within the grotto to say a special prayer for their faith. It was an awesome sight to behold as the teens and young adults moved as one, slowly and reverently under the rock of the cave, praying to the Blessed Mother. I walked with them and found a peace that saturated my soul.

No lunch calamities today. A few of us ate crepes from a street vendor that can only be described as heaven sent. These French sure know how to please a palate!

At 2 p.m. the pilgrims were divided into tour groups to walk the steps of Bernadette. What a powerful journey through the life of this exceptional woman. The sky darkened as we walked and thunder rolled overhead, but we persisted on our journey to know this woman who was chosen by the Blessed Mother. It finally began to rain in earnest but the cloud burst did not dampen the spirits of this humble group.

Bernadette held a great love for her family and suffered with them through many hardships, including financial. And still she was chosen by the Immaculate Conception herself to see the physical manifestation of Our Lady.

We toured the home in which she was born and shared a few years of happiness with her family before they were forced to move.

Walking across the town of Lourdes we toured a museum where some of her personal affects are preserved for viewing. I was stunned to see her little wooden shoe, so small and broken. We also were able to see the Baptismal font in the Parish of the Sacred Heart near her home. I knew I revered this woman back when I studied her life at Confirmation. (Recall that Bernadette is my chosen Confirmation name!) But as I learned more details of her life from our wonderful tour guide, Rosaura, I realized what a true model of faith she was in the face of the persecution she met during her Marian visits.

Our tour ended at the meadow, a little soggy but not disheartened, where we met with the other pilgrims for the Eucharistic procession that traversed the field walkways and ended at a tented altar. Another solemn occasion in which to share prayer, chant and song with other believers.

Many were on their knees in prayer while the Blessed Sacrament was removed to the chapel, which filled immediately with those same prayful pilgrims. It was pleasant to spend some quiet time with our Lord there.

As I spoke to Joanne Verhiley, an adult leader in our group, she shared a powerful witness to the goodness of God, when during the Stations yesterday, she was unable to kneel with each prayer as her knees were very painful. But as she prayed she realized that by the fourth Station, she was able to painlessly kneel with the group and said, "I was very moved — emotionally tearful. With each prayer the words became more meaningful."

These personal stories are what affirms our faith in the unseen. God is good!

The evening ended with dinner and a rousing and very passion session with Franciscan Father David Engo who told the pilgrims that in Madrid they were allowed to be as roudy as they wanted to be. He went on to remind the pilgrims that they might meet hardship on this pilgrimage journey to see the Holy Father. And he encourged them to offer it up for those in their family who are struggling right now. Powerful stuff!

It was a wonderful gathering where laughter and song were hearty. The group not only sang the diocesan WYD song, with lyrics and music by Father Drew Curry, but also the Spanish international
WYD theme song.

Boy, can those kids sing!!!
There's no lack of enthusiasm here!

I'm sure you can guess by now that this is one exhausted pilgrim. So I'll let the pictures tell you the real story. For more photos check out our diocesan website www.diocesefwsb.org

I've been happy to receive a couple of videos of the torch light procession and Bishop Rhoades' homily in the grotto from one of our pilgrims. I hope you can open them. They can give you a visual taste of this journey to God.

I have also added a comments page, so feel free to add your own if you'd like. The kids would love it!

Tomorrow we leave for Loyola by 10:30. Then on to Burgos. Pray for us o holy Mother of God for safe travel.

Thank you, Kay and co., for keeping us connected to you with this blog. I saw the buses loading in the St. Vincent's parking lot as I was driving to work and, because of following the postings, feet like I am 'with' you in more than prayer as you travel to Madrid. I loved hearing our Bishop speak at the grotto. I was at the ND grotto just last weekend. Because of your postings I now have a new memory for that place. How wonderful that we have such a reminder of your trip so close to home awaiting your return! I enjoy your postings and am, as always, delighted how God touches us in rain, music, silence, laughter, dripping water, architecture, and museum artifacts. I love His sense of humor! BTW, was the 'photo' of Bernadette done by artist Robert Silvers? My Third Order Carmelite group and my Team 28 Christ Renew's group are holding you all in our prayers. God IS with you! Nancy Simmonds, Fort Wayne

Keeping all of you in our prayers and thoughts. Thank you for the pictures, it is wonderful to get a glimpse of those we know and love, while following along your journey. It too rained here in Fort Wayne yesterday evening, with amazing lightning and large raindrops.I loved the homily part of Bishop Rhoades, "God calls each of us to be firm and strong in the faith. That way we can experience joy, happiness and peace in this life and in the next." Praying all of you continue to be firm and strong even despite any struggles and obstacles along your journey. Please continue to pray for us here in Indiana.Love, God's Blessings and Prayers,Greg and Juli Lapp

Just returned from 11 a.m. Mass at St. Vincent's. SRO. You were remembered and prayed for in the prayers of the faithful and I asked JP2 and St. Therese, patroness of France, to watch over you. May she shower you with visible roses in answer to your prayers. What's happening here at home? Dwenger begins on Tuesday, St. Vincent's school begins on Wed. I have spotted a few fall colored leaves on some trees, the surprise lilies/naked ladies are in bloom, and I thought I could detect new school shoes visible during Holy Communion. May St. Francis walk with you.Nancy Simmonds

Kay, I posted a comment early this morning. Did you receive it? I noticed you asked for comments again, but none have been posted. email- thelapp.family@frontier.comKeeping all of the FWSB pilgrims in our prayers. Loved hearing about the rain and travels. We too, received an amazing rain storm/lightning last night.Thank you for the posts and pictures.Love, Prayers, God's Blessings,Greg and Juli Lapp

About Me

I'm a wordsmith — always interested in talking and writing.
I love writing for Today's Catholic newspaper, where I can speak of and live my faith openly. Using my skills to craft stories about real people and events gives me great pleasure.
I'm pleased also to have authored a book published by OSV titled "Prayer Book for Widows," (2004), which was birthed from another of my passions —
supporting the bereaved. I facilitate a widows' support group and offer presentations on grief as well. I take pride in my monthly syndicated grief column titled "Hope in the Mourning: Lessons in Grief" — another wonderful venue to offer grief support. See
www.todayscatholicnews.org/category/cozad/
On the personal side, I am an outdoorsy sort, and faithful runner and biker. Not long distances but lots of fun. I've even won a couple of races!
I love children (I was a teacher in a previous career) and animals, especially dogs and cats. Cooking (and eating) is a sport for me. Oh, and I love motorcycles.